Tweeters:

For those of you who look for birds in South King County, WSDOT is
working on a 130 acres of mitigation/habitat restoration on the Valley
floor. The majority of the land is in two large parcels west of SR167
and south of I-405. An easy way to check out the project and any
potential birds is to come south on SR 167 from Renton and take the
first exit to SW 43rd/180th. At the light at the end of the exit ramp,
go straight west on SW 41st past the movie theater, past IKEA, and on
until the road Ts at Oakesdale Ave. SW. Turn right and in less than
half a block you will see a large, newly constructed pond with snags.
The pond was excavated this summer and in my routine travels I had not
seen birds using it until late December. (On the Rainier CBC, 12/30,
Kathy Andrich and I found a male Bufflehead. Since that time I've found
a flock of 30 Canada geese, more Buffleheads, and Mallards.) This pond
is part of Springbrook Creek, and drains into the channel that heads
north under SW 34th. (Part of the channel can be observed from a short
trail on the east side of the creek, north of 34th.) Continuing north
on Oakesdale, WSDOT has fencing/signage on the west side, an area that
is closed at present. However, at the intersection of SW 27th and
Oakesdale, turn right and look into the wet, brushy areas on the right
hand (south) side. Approximately halfway between Oakesdale and the
intersection at Lind Ave. SW. you will cross the channel that is
Springbrook Creek. On the CBC, we found Ring-neck Ducks, Gadwall, and
Green-wing Teal here. There is a short section of pavement (where you
can pull off) and this is where they are constructing a boardwalk/trail
along the east side of the creek that should eventually connect with the
trail segment reached from 34th. Continue on to Lind Ave. and turn
right (south) to check out another stretch of open water with islands
for loafing and brushy edges. More Gadwall, Mallards, G-W Teal. Be
aware that Oakesdale and Lind Aves are busy connectors with lots of
traffic. At this point, the project is still a work-in-progress.
However, it is another chunk of seasonally wet land, ponds, and
channeled stream that will be preserved in South King County. As access
improves, I'll be interested to see shows up.
Carol Stoner
Renton WA
stonefam at gte dot net